Apparatus for coiling and uncoiling strip material



Jan. 15, 1963 H.-L. F. BOND APPARATUS FORA COILING AND UNCOILING STRIP MATERIAL Filed Nov. 2, 19eo 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HARRY L.F. BOND BYF/Qwj \S ATTORNEY Jan. 15, 1963 H. L. F. BOND 3,073,543

APPARATUS FOR COILING AND UNCOILING STRIP MATERIAL Filed Nov. 2, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L/OU/D GAS PRERSSURE' GAS 6A S /L /OU/D PRESSURE lNvaN-ron HARRY .F. sono H\ 5 ATTORNEY l United States 3,073,543 APPARATUS FR CELHNG AND UNCHNG STR@ MATEREAL Harry Laurence Fred Bond, Hathersage, Shemeld, England, assigner to Davey and United Engineering Company, Limited, Sheiiield, Engiand Filed Nov. 2, 1960, Ser. No. 66,876 Claims priority,application Great Britain Nov. 5, 1659 14 Claims. (Ci. M5L-7&4)

-This invention relates to apparatus for coiling and uncoiling strip material and more particular, but not exclusively, for coiling hot strip received from rolling mills.

The co-iling of such hot strip may be effected on a collapsible mandrel or drum around which are distributed wrapper rolls that serve to maintain the strip on the mandrel while the iirst few convolutions are being wound. When suiicient convolutions have been wound to enable the tension in the strip to maintain the coil, the wrapper rolls may be withdrawn and the winding continued without their aid. Before such Withdrawal, the wrapper rolls have to yield radially outwards away from the mandrel axis as the coil grows, the yielding being against some resilience.

When it is desired to maintain the wrapper rolls in action during the formation of the comparatively large portion, or even the whole, of a coil, as when very heavy gauge hot strip is being coiled, it is necessary to arrange for the rolls to yield radially against resilientrmeans which can accommodate the necessary stroke or movement and yet oifer a variable controlled resistance.

Furthermore, w-ithdrawal of the wrapper rolls must be rapid compared to the rate of radial increase of the coil.

One object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus to meet the above requirements for coiling hot strip.

Accordingly, there is provided by the present invention apparatus for coiliug or uncoiling strip comprising a rotatable mandrel on which the coil is wound, a plurality of wrapper rolls distributed around the mandrel so as to run on the periphery of the coil when the mandrel is rotated, gas pressure means for maintaining pressure between the wrapper rolls and said coil when the rolls are running thereon, and liquid pressure means for moving the rolls rapidly away from or towards the coil.

In the case of coiling,the liquid pressure means have to work in the direction opposite to the diection in which the gas pressure acts, because the gas has to press the `rolls on the coil and the liquid has to withdraw the rolls from the coil. The liquid is fast in its action because of its yvirtual incompressibility.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood a preferred construction in accordance therewith will now be described, by way of example, in which reference is made to the following drawings of which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical elevational section through coiling apparatus for hot steel strip; and

IFIGURE 2 is an end elevation, shown partly in section,

yof the apparatus of FIGURE 1, when viewed from the right-hand side of FIGURE 1.

This apparatus includes a mandrel 1 which is shown only in outline because it may take any of the standard forms well known in the art. The mandrel is so constructed that it may be caused to collapse in the radial 'direction to enable the coil to be removed.

-Distributed around the mandrel 1 are four wrapper rolls 2a, 2b, 2c, and '2d having at opposite ends journals 3 mounted in anti-friction bearings 4 secured to parallel pairs of arms 5. The pairs of arms 5 are iixed respectively to spindles 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d mounted at opposite ends in anti-friction bearings 7 carried in the frame structure 8 of the apparatus. As best shown in FIGURE 1,

the arms 5 also carry deector plates 9a, 9b, 9c,' and 9d that lie between the Wrapper rolls 2 and guide the leading end of the strip round the mandrel when the coiling operation begins. The arms 5 of the wrapper roll 2d also carry a plate 10, which constitutes part of a guideway for the strip as it approaches the mandrel 1. This guideway is defined also by fixed plates 11, 12 and 13, a belly roll 14 and a plate 15 that is pivotally mounted about the axis of the roll 14.

Associated with each of the spindles 6b, 6c, and 6d is an individual group of three piston and cylinder assemblies including two double acting air assemblies 16 and one single acting hydraulic assembly 17. The cylinders of the three assemblies in each group are pivoted about a respective one of three axes 18 on three xed members 19. The piston rods 20x of the air assemblies in each group are pivoted to arms 21 fixed to the associated spindle 6b,- 6c or 6d. The piston rod Zty of the associated hydraulic assembly is pivoted to an arm 22 on the spindle.

The arrangement associated with the wrapper roll Za is somewhat different in that a pair of double actingair and oil assemblies 23 are employed. The cylinders are pivoted about fixed axes 24, and the piston rods 25 are pivoted to arms 26 on extensions Z7 of the spindle 6a that lie beyond the bearings 7.

In operation, the air Valves (not shown) for the assemblies 16 and 23 are operated to admit air under pressure to the back faces of the pistons in these assemblies to Ibring thewrapper rolls 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d to the positions shown in the drawings, while air is exhausted from the front sides of the pistons in the assemblies 16 and oil is exhausted from the front sides of the pistons in the assemblies 17 and 23. The strip to be coiled is then fed between pinch rolls 28 and up the guideway 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, a-nd 15 to be wound on the mandrel 1 as the latter is Irotated about its axis by means (not shown). The wrapper rolls 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are also rotated about their axes by motors (not shown) acting through mechanisms including shafts 29 and Hookes joints 30.

As the coil expands on the mandrel 1, the rolls 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are forced radially outward away from the axis of the mandrel, swinging the arms 5 about the axes of the spindles 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d and working against the air pressure 16 and 23. The pressure in the assemblies 16 and 23 may be adjusted to obtain the desired pressure condition and maintained substantially constant'by, for example, automatic relief valves (not shown). Simultaneously controlled amounts of air may be admitted t'o taneously Withdrawn so that the coiling continues Vinde-k pendently, of the wrapper rolls, the tension in the strip and the hoop stress in the coil then rendering continued use of the wrapper rolls unnecessary. The withdrawal` of the wrapper rolls is eiected by operating the oil valves (not shown) to admit oil under pressure to the front sides of the pistons in the assemblies 17 and23, while the air valves are operated to permit air to be exhaused from the back sides of the pistons in the assemblies 16 and 23and to permit air under pressure to be applied to the front sides of the pistons in the assemblies 16.

In order to prevent the strip from fouling the guideway plate 15 as the coil expands, the plate 15 is-swung downward about the axis of the belly roll 14 when the wrapper rolls are withdrawn, this construction as best shown in FIGURE-1. For this purpose the arms 26 are formed with extensions 31 connected by links 32 to arms 33 fixed to the plate 15. When the coil has grown suciently, the strip runs over the belly roll 14 and thence direct to the coil.

Toward the end of the coilng operation, a selected one or all, of the wrapper rolls can be brought into contact with the building up coil -to control the tail end of the strip as it emerges from the pinch rolls. Assuming that the production of the hot strip continues, the lower pinch roll 2S is shifted to the chain line position, as shown in FIGURE l, so that the next succeeding strip is run over rolls 3'4 to `a second and similar coiling apparatus, on which a next coil is wound while the iirst coil is being removed from the mandrel 1.

The reason that the double acting air andoil assemblies Z3 are used in association with the wrapper roll 2a Vis that in the particular apparatus shown in the drawings there are space limitations. Alternatively, an air cylinder can act on one ofthe arms 26 and an oil cylinder on the other arm the air cylinder being single acting in opposition to the oil cylinder.

Considering then, the general application of the present invention the gas and liquid pressure means thereof may comprise at least one single acting gas cylinder assembly acting to advance the wrapper rolls and hold them in position, together with at least one single acting liquid cylinder assembly for rapid retraction of the wrapper rolls, such as with the alternative for assemblies 23 above.

Alternatively, the gas pressure means may comprise at least one double acting gas cylinder assembly acting in one direction to advance the wrapper rolls and hold them in position, and acting in the other direction to assist'the rapid retraction of the wrapper` rolls by at least one single acting liquid pressure cylinder assembly, such as with the case of assemblies 16 and 17 above.

Ina further alternative the gas and liquid pressure means may comprise at least one double acting cylinder assembly operative in one direction by gas pressure to advance and hold the wrapper rollsin position, and operative in the other direction by liquid pressure for rapid retraction of the wrapper rolls.

While the drawings show an upcoiler, it will be appreciated that the mechanism can readily be adapted as a downcoiler.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle and operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I consider to represent the best embodiment thereof. However, I desire to have it understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for ceiling or uncoiling strip comprising a rotatable mandrel on which the coil is wound, a plurality of wrapper rolls distributed around the mandrelso as to run on the periphery of the coil when the mandrel is rotated, gas pressure means for maintaining pressure between the wrapper rolls and said coil when the rolls `are running thereon, and separate liquid pressure means `for moving the rolls rapidly away from the coil.

`one direction on an associated wrapper roll when it is runningon the coil and during movement thereof towards `the coil, and operative to exert pressure in the other direction on said wrapper roll during withdrawal from the 'i coil, thereby to assist the liquid pressure means.

`3. Apparatus according to claim l wherein said gas and liquid pressure means are in the form of piston and d cylinder mechanisms comprising at least one pneumatic mechanism arranged to exert a constant pressure on an associated wrapper roll.

4. Apparatus according to claim l wherein said gas and liquid pressure means are in the form of piston and cylinder mechanisms, comprising at least one pneumatichydraulic mechanism operative in one direction on an associated wrapper roll under air pressure and operative on said wrapper r-oll in the other direction under liquid pressure to withdraw said wrapper roll.

5. Apparatus according to claim l comprising one or more piston and cylinder mechanisms associated with individual wrapper rolls for application of. gas pressure and liquid pressure thereto.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said piston and cylinder mechanisms include piston rods, individual spindles connected to said rolls and having xed arm extensions connected to said piston rods, and a fixed frame to which the cylinders of said piston and cylinder mechaniszns are pivotally secured.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 comprising deector plates distributed around said mandrel between said wrapper rolls and each xably connected to the associated spindle of a neighbouring wrapper roll.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 comprising one or more guide plates and rolls for strip-being fed to or withdrawn from said mandrel.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein a guide plate nearest said mandrel is tixably connected to `an adjacent deector plate.

lO. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein a guide plate nearest said mandrel forms one arm of a bell crank mechanism, the other end of which is pivotally linked to the associated spindle of an adjacent wrapper roll.

l1. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for rotating said wrapper roll.

l2. Apparatus according to claim l wherein said gas and liquid pressure means are in the form of piston and cylinder mechanisms, comprising at least one single acting gas mechanism operative to exert pressure in one direction on an associated wrapper roll.when it is running on the coil and during movement thereof towards the coil, and at least one single acting liquid mechanism operative on said wrapper roll in the other direction to withdraw said wrapper roll.

13. Apparatus according to claim l wherein said gas and liquid pressure means are in the form of piston and cylinder mechanisms, comprising at least one double acting gas mechanism operative to exert pressure in one direction on an associated wrapper roll when it is running on the coil and during movement towards the coil, and operative to exert pressure in the other direction on said Wrapper roll during withdrawal from the coil, and at least one single acting liquid mechanism operative on said wrapper roll in said other direction to withdraw said wrapper roll.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said gas and liquid pressure means are in the form of piston and cylinder mechanisms, comprising at least one double acting mechanism operative in one direction on an associated wrapper roll under gas pressure, .when it is running on the coil and during movement thereof towards the coil, and operative on said wrapper roll in the other direction under liquid pressure to withdraw said wrapper roll.

Nash et al. Dec. 30, 1941 Washam July 27, 1943 Y i im 

1. APPARATUS FOR COILING OR UNCOILING STRIP COMPRISING A ROTATABLE MANDREL ON WHICH THE COIL IS WOUND, A PLURALITY OF WRAPPER ROLLS DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE MANDREL SO AS TO RUN ON THE PERIPHERY OF THE COIL WHEN THE MANDREL IS ROTATED, GAS PRESSURE MEANS FOR MAINTAINING PRESSURE BETWEEN THE WRAPPER ROLLS AND SAID COIL WHEN THE ROLLS ARE RUNNING THEREON, AND SEPARETE LIQUID PRESSURE MEANS FOR MOVING THE ROLLS RAPIDLY AWAY FROM THE COIL. 